Order of Service
11:00 AM - Arrival of Mourners at CITAM
- Procession of family to the sanctuary (In case of the body)
- Welcome remarks - Moderator
- Praise and worship
- 1st reading (Psalm 23) - family member
- 2nd reading (Rev. 14:13) - Family member
- Eulogy/Testimony from family
- Hymn - Amazing Grace
- Tributes and Speeches
- Condolences from Church
- Offertory and explanation/Praise song during offertory
- Sermon - Rev. James Munyiri
- Hymn - Nitabibu wa karibu
- Prayer for the family
- Notices and vote of Thanks (Family/Committee)
- Closing Prayer/Benediction
- Procession out of sanctuary (in the case of body) - worship team
Hymns
Amazing Grace
1 Amazing grace (how sweet the sound)
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
2 'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!
3 Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come:
'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
4 The Lord has promised good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures.
5 Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease:
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
6 The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.
Nitabibu wa karibu
1. Ni tabibu wa karibu Tabibu wa ajabu,
Na rehema za daima Ni dawa yake njema.
Imbeni malaika sifa za Yesu Bwana
Pweke limetukuka Jina lake Yesu
2. Hatufai kuwa hai wala atutumai
Ila yeye kweli ndiye Atupumzishae.
3. Dhambi pia na hatia, Ametuchukulia
Twenendeni kwa Amani, Hata kwake Mbinguni.
4. Huliona tamu jina La yesu kristo bwana,
Yuna sifa mwenye kufa, Asishindwe na kufa.
5. Kila mume asimame Sifa zake zivume;
Wanawake na washike, Kusifu jina lake.
6. Na vijana vyote tena, Vimpendavyo sana;
Vije kwake viwe vyake, Kwa utumishi wake.
Eulogy
Early Life
Francis Ndungu was born on 22nd August 1969 to Mary Wanjiku Murimi. He was born together with his siblings: Elizabeth Njeri, Nancy Nyokabi, Anthony Murimi, and John Njenga.
He married the love of his life, Mary Wambui, in May 1995. Together they were blessed with three beautiful daughters: Sharon Wanjiku, Virginia Gathigia, and Shakina Talia Wacuka.
Education
Francis attended St Patrick's Primary School from nursery to class 7, where he excelled and joined Kabianga High School from 1983 to 1986. He again excelled and proceeded to Karuri High School in Kiambu for his A-Levels.
He began his teaching career as an untrained teacher at Roret Mixed High School. He later pursued a Diploma course at Bondo Teachers College (today Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology – JOOUST). He taught at Sacred Heart Roret Girls from 1991 to 2003. During his tenure, the school performed exemplarily well, and he put the school at the top in the English subject in Kericho. He later resigned to venture into business.
Business
Francis and Mary engaged in various jua kali businesses, including selling hardware at the bus stop and clothes at the Kericho market. They opened their first shop in the Pumwani area of Kericho before securing a bigger space near Uhuru Garden.
They founded Cinderela Centre for Beauty Ltd, which quickly became a household name. The business dealt in beauty products, clothes, shoes, and more, distributing these products across Kericho and western Kenya. However, the company encountered difficulties, especially during the COVID era, and eventually wound up its operations.
Francis then moved to Sondu, where he operated a hotel and a mini supermarket.
Church / Faith
Francis met Christ in 2014 during the burial of his mother, Mary Wanjiku. He joined Full Gospel Churches of Kenya (FGCK) Kericho. He later became an elder and was instrumental in modernizing the church. He introduced the church calendar, regular church board meetings, youth programmes (e.g., worship experience), and support for many youth marriages.
He became the voice of FGCK Kericho on radio during the COVID period. As head of projects, he oversaw the installation of church screens, a modern ablution block, beautification of the church compound (including levelling the grounds, putting ballast, planting flowers and trees).
He later joined CITAM Kericho when it opened its doors in Kericho, drawn by its focus on biblical teaching, programmes, and emphasis on openness and transparency. He was among the pioneering leaders, serving as Head of Department (HOD) for CITAM Business Forum and later as HOD Men Ministry. He also taught at Sunday School, participated in mission events, and contributed to other church programmes.
Social Life
Francis was a passionate grassroots mobilizer who brought people together to empower them, help them invest, and improve their standards of living.
He is credited with the inception of Kericho ya Mumbi CBO, an umbrella body for Kikuyus living in Kericho, aimed at uniting them to speak with one voice—especially after the trauma of the 2008 tribal clashes. He served as the founding chair.
He helped found the investment arm of distributors called Interten, where he was the secretary. He also co-founded Kericho Pambazuko Welfare, a group that brought together peers in business in Kericho.
He founded Kericho Urumwe Self-Help Group, which bought land for its members. As an alumnus of Kabianga High School, he was a founder member of its investment arm, Lchoreta (Maasai for "friends").
In family circles, he founded the Murimis descendants group, which brought together the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of their famous grandfather, Joshua Murimi.
Final Journey
Francis started experiencing health challenges while in Sondu. He visited various hospitals and was diagnosed with gallbladder cancer in 2023. He underwent two stomach operations at Coptic Hospital Nairobi that year. He was scheduled for chemotherapy at Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital, but due to long queues, he was referred to PGH Nakuru, where he received treatment. He improved tremendously.
However, in 2025, the cancer appeared to have metastasized to the lungs and liver.